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Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 3087 with EDCA Lifeskills, Inc., for the provision of senior peer counseling services, for the term July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2020, with a maximum contractual obligation of $80,000; and
2) Authorize the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 3087, including amendments which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement, and contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: Mental Health Services Act.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION:
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 3087 to provide senior peer counseling services for eligible individuals. Approval of this renewal Agreement will allow for the provision of senior peer counseling services for both existing and future clients.
Additionally, HHSA has determined, in accordance with County Ordinance Section 3.13.030, it is more economical and feasible to engage an independent contractor due to the specialized nature of the services required under the Senior Peer Counseling project.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
On June 20, 2017, the Board adopted and authorized implementation of the FY 2017-18 through FY 2019-2020 Three-Year Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Program and Expenditure Plan (File ID 17-0551, Item 33), which includes the “Senior Peer Counseling” project under the Older Adults Enrichment Project of the Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) component. The objective of the Senior Peer Counseling project is to provide free confidential individual peer counseling to adults age 55 and older. Senior peer counselor volunteers are provided with training and supervision by a licensed clinical supervisor. In addition to providing peer counseling services, senior peer counselor volunteers evaluate the needs of potential clients, often referring and linking them to other services, including HHSA’s Behavioral Health. As older adults themselves, senior peer counselor present an immediate credibility to their clients as a peer.
With approximately 30% of El Dorado County’s population being aged 55 or older, the Senior Peer Counseling Program is designed to meet the individual needs of the county’s older adult population. Senior Peer Counseling also provides community education and collaboration with other older adult services and professionals. Volunteers also make informational presentations to interested service groups and agencies. The Senior Peer Counseling program meets the expressed needs of the individual and provides prevention and early intervention on mental health issues. Senior Peer Counseling focuses on well-being, empowering clients to find their own solutions, make independent decisions, and thereby become active participants in their own lives.
Reason for Recommendation
MHSA mandates that stakeholders be provided with the opportunity to provide input into the MHSA Plan development. During the community planning processes, one of the unmet needs identified by the public was mental health services for adults age 55 and older. To address those needs, the Senior Peer Counseling project was incorporated into the MHSA plan under the PEI component. Projects under the PEI component are intended to prevent serious mental illness by promoting mental health, reducing mental health risk factors, and by intervening to address mental health problems in the early stages of the illness. With such a large segment of El Dorado County’s population being aged 55 or older, this project provides valuable services to older adults. This renewal agreement will allow for the continuation of those services for existing and future clients.
ALTERNATIVES:
Disapproval of Agreement for Services 3087 will result in difficulty meeting the service demands of the community, may disrupt the progress and continuity of care for clients currently receiving services from EDCA Lifeskills, Inc., and will cause HHSA to be out of compliance with the MHSA Plan.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel, Human Resources, Procurement and Contracts, Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item. Sufficient appropriations were included in the fiscal year 2018-19 budget, and will be included in future budgets for the term of the Agreement.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on two (2) original Agreements for Services 3087.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed Agreement to the HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County Strategic Plan: Healthy Communities - Improved health, well-being and self-sufficiency of El Dorado County communities, residents and visitors.
CONTACT
Patricia Charles-Heathers, Ph.D., M.P.A., Director